For a moment...

I am

2007-05-18T16:30:00.000-07:00

I am hands and hair
I am the sun on your skin when the clouds finally break
I am the sloppy kiss of puppy you found abandoned
the last m&m
the last pile of leaves
I am the smell of dirt and rain
I am the grass that caresses your back
the seed stem tickling your foot
I am rowdy and loud
I am dirty hands
dirty mouth
I am bugs and stones
shells and bones
Otter-pops and dots and zots
Moxie blue cream
your first wet dream
I am the ring of freedom
I am the memory of what we were
before the world grew tame and civilized
I am your first bitten lip
I am fireworks
peeing in the swimming pool
your first dirty magazine
and never getting caught
I am scout
I am the howl with the dogs when the fire engine blazes by
I am the first time you didn’t cry
when the band aid got ripped off
and the first time you did
when mom broke her hip
I am the river
the lizard basking
the satyr in the school play production
and in your dream last summer
I am jackass written in big bold colors
on your neighbor’s driveway
and the toilet paper hanging from his trees
I am the irreverent laughter in the 16th pew
bibleschool bully and your best friend
skipping out and running naked
through the fields and streams out behind the rectory
because god was never in this building
he’s always been right here
inside of me
I am boy
I am forever
boy

trespasser

2007-01-11T15:48:00.000-08:00

what if i started

my incantation

by whispering your name

quietly

to myself in the closet

and then revealed it to another

a friend

a sister

a co-worker

a stranger

your name

the anti-jehova

once spoken

weakened

like great solomon's locks

your name the burden

and the power

simultaneously coexisting.

what if i began

by turning inward

and started this war cry

as a dreamquest

as a trance

as a walkabout

tribal triangulation

laser focused

raising energy

bringing down the moon.

what if i set forth
with tears and rage

and fear and hatred

and let them wash into the ocean

polishing the stone of resolve

within me

the heart of a warrior

hidden

in the body

of an ordinary fat guy

with bills and a cat.

what if i didn't fall over and die

what if i survived

rose up

and imprison you

in my own way

slowly

allowing your foothold

but crushing your growth

as you tried to do my spirit.

what if this son of dust

became more

despite you

and your tedious existence

found his voice

named you

and forever broke your curse.

since i remember knowing

2007-01-03T15:48:00.000-08:00

Since I remember knowing,
I’ve been moving on.

Comfort closes, warm and near,
Lulling us to sleep and dream,
But dreams that don’t move

are dreams that rust
And that which isn’t moving
Has stopped growing.

Since I remember knowing,
I’ve been moving on.

I make a sand painting of my life
In brilliant colors, mandalas spun,
But calm lullabies always sound

just before the storm
And one cannot prevent the winds
From blowing…

Since I remember knowing,
I’ve been moving on.

So many myriad objects glimpsed
And embraces to grasp fondly,
But a nomad knows no house

of wood or stone
So like the eternal river Tao, my path,
It is always flowing…

Since I remember knowing,
I’ve been moving on.

Kona would like to wish you all a very...

2006-12-14T11:39:00.000-08:00

HereSilenceWaiting

2006-11-27T16:27:00.000-08:00

TiredAcheLookGreyWaiting
ListenAcheClosedHandsRememberSmile
AcheListenBlinkClosed
RememberTiredWishListen
SilenceFreedomGraspMissingBlank
TiredLongingWishChangeMatterClockBlink
ThinkAngerApathyBruised
WishMatterBlinking
QuietBreatheSmokeEscaping
HereSilenceWaiting

fugue

2006-07-19T13:37:00.000-07:00

My mind fatigued, I gaze skyward
Remembering the thunder and rain
The burden of negativity dissolves
From this day spun out into tedium

Remembering the thunder and rain
My memory recalls the ocean night
From this day spun out into tedium
My heart returns to souls exhaling

My memory recalls the ocean night
Shadows dissolve into the margins
My heart returns to souls exhaling
Into horizon’s joining, sky and sea

Shadows dissolve into the margins
My mind fatigued, I gaze skyward
Into horizon’s joining, sky and sea
The burden of negativity dissolves

oh the places you'll go...

2006-06-21T21:01:00.000-07:00

Pig Turd Alley for instance. I saw this house across the street from a gas station in North Park this afternoon & ave been giggling all evening.

(UPDATE: I guess I should explain... since the camera on my phone is a piece o' crap... the white road sign on the lawn reads "Pig Turd Alley" ;) )

definition of scary

2006-06-15T16:23:00.000-07:00

no, it's not Damian from Omen... it's your's truly in maternity drag! From the Roadie Fashion Show on Day 3, I give you The Camp Signage Team! We had so much fun. I miss these people incredibly.

I don't miss that damn dress though!

...

Okay, maybe just a little...

;)

the ordinary world

2006-06-14T15:48:00.000-07:00

I've been back home in San Diego for 4 days now. I still keep waking up in the middle of the night and not recognizing where I am in my own home, thinking "aw crap, gotta use the port-a-potty", or trying to figure out if I have enough time to sleep in an extra 15 and not risk being late getting my tent folded up and getting in line for oatmeal. It's really odd.

And then there's the jarring you get being back to things like work, worrying about bills, commuting, having to cook dinner... and so many other things. You get so used to the close knit community of "camp" that you forget that the real world doesn't have that feel of community. And then you begin to wonder... why doesn't it?

One of the most sobering things about LifeCycle is being among so many like minded, cooperative, sometimes cranky but ultimately supportive individuals... all working towards a unified goal, as a community. You begin to think to yourself, "God, if only the rest of the world could cooperate on this massive a scale, we could solve so many problems that face society today"... energy consumption, community health, poverty, violence, HIV... if we all had such a close knit sense of community, and smaller communities seeded, informed and communicated with other communities... truly, there may be no limit to what we might accomplish.

I have just seen Al Gore's movie, "An Inconvenient Truth". I can't help but think that part of our problem with all of these things, not just global warming, not just HIV, is the lost sense of local community. How many of our neighbors do we even know by name? Remember when we were kids and used to invite the next door family to dinner? When is the last time I greeted a pedestrian, or even another motorist, with a smile and "hello"? I grew up in Colorado, and remember a time when passing people on country roads, it was simply common practice that you wave while passing.

I miss that. I miss that sense of community. I miss that connectedness. I crave it... not like craving caffeine or a hot shower, but more like craving a home cooked meal after living alone in a college dorm for too long.

honorary lesbian

2006-06-14T14:19:00.000-07:00

Got to drive this big butch diesel truck for several days at the ride, hauling our equipment from camp to camp! WOOF!! Never felt so butch in my life! ;)

Remember when

2006-06-07T07:51:00.000-07:00

Remember when this happened last year & I wasn't able to keep up with photos & the like? Don't know how I let this little detail slip,but wow, its a hell of a lot of work putting this event on!

On our way to Santa Maria today, day 4! Time flies! I've only clicked about 5 photos. Promise Ill have some to share later though. I've met lots of friends with lots of digital cameras. ;)

Catch up with you all later!

Hut sweet hut

2006-06-05T09:45:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the tiki tent! Cool thing about being a roadie is you have tons more time for home decorating!

Camp, Santa Cruz

2006-06-05T09:41:00.000-07:00

This is the tent city for our first camp. Its amazing to see a community this size move piece by piece every single day to support over 2000 people.

On the road

2006-06-05T09:39:00.000-07:00

Lots of cropland out here!

Day One

2006-06-05T08:41:00.000-07:00

Go riders! Rideout is beautiful, whether you are a rider or roadie. Its amazing to see 1800 people united, embarking on this incredible event together.

Beauty above comfort

2006-06-05T08:37:00.000-07:00

4:00 am, Day One, & still undeniably fabulous...

tomorrow, it begins...

2006-06-03T23:06:00.000-07:00

Well, here at the end of Registration Day, I find myself pretty well exhausted! Aside from registration, meeting up with old friends again and just getting into the event, I've been staying with some friends in San José over the weekend until the event begins. The commute keeps one rather busy, Daly City isn't exactly next door!

I've been getting in some great food though before resorting to camp... not that camp food isn't good, but there's not a great chance of my getting Almond Milk Tea with Boba at QCup or Korean Barbeque!

Later went to go pick out costumes for the fashion and talent shows at the ride, as well as red dress day. I'll give 'em something to talk about this year, just wait till you see!

Tomorrow, have to be at opening ceremonies at 5:00 in the morning for planning and logistics, ride out at 6:00am, and then to work I go! Will be camping out in Santa Cruz by end of day. If you're in town, swing by and say hi! We're camping at Harvey West Park!

See you all on Day 1 with some photos and updates! Don't forget to check in at the ride page to see more commentary from other riders! http://experience.aidslifecycle.org. I just went there and noticed that they have an RSS feed posted so you can receive updates this week, including podcasts!

Propeller bear detail...

2006-06-03T18:42:00.000-07:00

My favorite bracelet at the ride...

2006-06-03T18:41:00.000-07:00

Propeller bear! :)

Arm bands and necktags

2006-06-03T18:37:00.000-07:00

One gets a nice collection of accessories at the ride... Bracelets galore to ID us by permission to specific services & resources in camp. (That's my Korean Barbeque in the background!! Mmmmm!)

And lots of bikes

2006-06-03T18:33:00.000-07:00

1800 to be exact...

Lots of people...

2006-06-03T18:31:00.000-07:00

About 2300 this year...

The lines are long...

2006-06-03T17:43:00.000-07:00

We line up to get settled, numbered, and checked in. Estimates this year are 1800 riders & 450 roadies.

Day 0, Registration

2006-06-03T17:39:00.000-07:00

Well, after a night on the town in San Francisco, we find ourselves at registration for the ride at the beautiful Cow Palace in Daly City.

planes, trains and automobiles

2006-06-02T06:59:00.000-07:00

Leaving for L.A. to catch my plane in a matter of minutes now...

Before I go, just wanted to point you all to some more information about the ride itself.

For those of you that would like to keep up with me and with the ride while I am out, you can do so at http://experience.aidslifecycle.org. From this webpage, you will have access to rider and roadie day journals, photographs, videos, maps and podcasts live from the ride. In addition, you can also send me a message of support via the website, just to say hi (if you don't already have my phone number)! My participant number this year is 9703... and for the record, you can find my participant page at http://www.aidslifecycle.org/9703.

By the way, I'd love to see any of you at the opening or closing ceremonies! You can find some information about where and when they are being held at this website... http://www.aidslifecycle.org/ceremonies.html. And for that matter, if you'd care to check in at any of the camps to look me up, here is a list of all of the towns I will be visiting. If you think you might be doing this, you will need to check in at camp services when you arrive at any of the locations. You'll also need to find me among 2500 people, and that's probably best accomplished by sending an email to me ahead of time... korourke50@sprintpcs.com.

how i'm doing this...

2006-06-01T22:56:00.000-07:00

Via my pocket PC/cell phone, for those interested. I'll be taking photos on digital camera, transfering via SD card to the phone, and sending email to my blog. Pretty neat huh? As for voice, I'll be using audioblogger. And if I get really really fancy, maybe, just maybe, some video. All this from my mobile phone to you! Enjoy!

packing nightmare

2006-06-01T22:39:00.000-07:00

I can't believe we're only allowed to bring one suitcase & a daypack! How did I manage this last year? Leaving for AIDS LifeCycle 5 tomorrow. For those that don't know, this is a 585 mile bike ride to raise funds for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation & the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center. I rode last year with 1600 other riders, raising a total of over $6.5 million!

This year, Bill & I are volunteering as camp setup "roadies". We will be helping with camp signage. It will give a total different perspective on the ride.

I am hoping to post all about it here, photos and thoughts, maybe even some voice & video. Stay tuned! For tonight, my task is to figure out how to make all this stuff fit in one suitcase!

welcome back

2006-05-26T06:31:00.000-07:00

Sue used to refer to it as being tethered too close to the world. I guess that’s how it’s felt for me lately. A dry spell. But I would like to allow myself to find freedom in that. Not all days and not all experience warrants writing about so much as personal reflection upon… and that much, I am doing.

Recently, I was telling my friend Jenn about this pattern I have… of having much to say some days and becoming pensive and withdrawn the next several weeks. I still struggle to find meaning in writing things out sometimes, and I’ve written about that in the past…but I hear her when she says that my putting “it” out to the Universe will sometimes inspire others to do the same, and in so doing, has the effect of propagating this energy of sharing in those that I meet. I find something beautiful in that, something meaningful.

And so I’d like to break out of my brooding today, and simply share this with you. Share with you my frustration over how my own mind will sometimes sabotage me into thinking that nothing I would say could possibly interest another human being and that I’d be better off meditating upon it, ruminating over it, and finding some direction or higher meaning.

And so I give you my pendulum mind as it reflects on itself reflecting on itself. I give you my laughter as I see everything human in me trying to find meaning where perhaps ultimately; there is none to be found. I give you a simple desire to share with you, point out how funny we are, poetics be damned, and just say what’s rolling around upstairs.

I have heard many times how my writing touches others… perhaps not all others, but truly… if what I write here touches only one other human being today…

Isn’t that worth something after all?

Namaste.

of tourquoise...

2006-04-07T10:08:00.000-07:00

rain-washed sky
the moment that the sun
pushes the last cloud over the horizon,

how it feels to slip
naked
into cool cotton sheets
while the sun is slanting in
the open bedroom window

the taste of earl gray
with milk and sugar
and a ginger creme brulée

dad's rock shop back home
and the way the grinder smells
water and brushed steel
mixing with earth
polishing each gem
to it's perfection longing to be seen

cotton candy spinner
twisted sugary cobwebs
whisping round the carousel sounds
and smell of snowcones and funnel cakes

the scent
of cut grass and jasmine
on the first week after spring

gift from my grandpa
after he died
warm tanned leather, soft to the touch
silver belt buckle
still beautiful
peppered with cracked, polished stones
of tourquoise.

Walkabout, Part Two

2006-02-05T21:41:00.000-08:00

It's a foggy morning today, a little cold, so grab your jacket. The clouds look like they want to clear though, so perhaps we'll see some sun later. It's been about a month and my morning walk in the park has now become a run. :) Feeling healthier already, and spring is already coming to San Diego. C'mon, let's go see. I'll go get a head start and meat you outside the Presido.

There you are. All ready? Okay. First, here's some info on the park that I didn't get to give you last time we were here. They keep a calendar there with events and have a park map for you if you ever want to come back and explore on your own.

http://www.balboapark.org

You all wanted to see all those things I showed you at New Year's once they were open again, so today, let's make it the Arboretum!

Don't forget to look up!

Can you hear that fountain over in the distance? Let's go take a look!

Wow, take a look at that staghorn! Beautiful!

I love this little fountain with the bonsai trees...

But now, the REAL reason we're here... the orchids!

Sick of orchids yet? :wink: Me neither!

Gorgeous huh!? Just had to share that with all of you now that they're finally starting to bloom. I love this place!

Alright, let's step outside and see a few more sights around here...

No waterlilies yet, but the goldfish and coy are all doing well it appears.

There's our mariachi man. He's out here every Sunday. He says that he used to play out here with a group of 6, and he is the only one left. He will be out here every weekend until his voice has finally stopped.

There's the statue of Balboa. Pretty scary! :shock:

Even scarier!

And here's the scariest! :shock: (really, do they have to make them so anatomically correct?) :lol:

Let's walk out through palm canyon and see some of the foliage in the park. There are apple blossoms in bloom up by the fountain, and down here, the bananas are already putting out fruit!

And over here by the bridge, before we go, you can see that the cherry blossoms are finally in bloom!

There you are! Till we meet again for our next walk then friend! I'll leave you with this shot of me out at Coronado Beach yesterday. Maybe we'll go on a walk there someday too. :wink:

Have a great week!

walkabout

2006-01-01T18:50:00.000-08:00

Let's take a break and I'll take you on a walking tour of my "backyard", beautiful Balboa Park in San Diego. I live 3 blocks away, so we'll have time for you to grab a jacket, it's kind of chilly after last night's rains and mist. We'll walk up over the bridge and into the Prado first. There's the spire and dome over ther at the Museaum of Man, one of the most well known vistas in San Diego.

Here we are at my favorite favorite spot in the park, the Japanese Friendship Garden.

Looks like it's closed for New Year's Day though. Well, I'll have to bring you back another time, just to show you this part of the beautiful park. Here's a little sneak peek through the fence though, at the Wisteria Pagoda.

Well, the bell tower over at the spire just rang, sounds like it's 1:00. I'm hungry, how about you? The Friendship Garden may be closed, but the Tea Pavillion looks open! I'm going to have the Teriyaki Salmon Bowl and a cup of Cherry Sakura Green Tea and Red Bean Daifuku. How about you?

Okay, now that we're all full and sleepy... let's go walk. Look, the clouds are beginning to clear, and it sounds like something is going on over at the Organ Pavillion. Can you hear everyone clapping? Let's walk over.

Hey, there's someone playing the big old pipe organ! Crikey that thing is loud!

While we're over on this end of the park, let's go over to one of my favorite walks for a sunny day, Palm Canyon. This place is so beautiful on a sunny day, nice and cool.

There's the path down, but it looks kind of muddy today after the rain. Let's save that one for another time too. Wish you could've seen this place this summer, those trees were full of big heavy fronds of bannanas. The squirrels here are well fed, trust me!

Let's cross over this way and go through the hedge garden. Kind of sparse right now for the winter, but look up there... looks like blue skies coming today at least.

Okay, this way now... off the beaten path. This is another one of my favorite spots. You might miss it for the bigger gardens and museums around here. Just past the Zorro Garden over here, now back this way. Watch out, kind of muddy back here. There we are! The Lovers! My friend Pedro was the one to show me this place, make sure to keep it secret, it's pretty special. Those two trees, they're probably a couple of the oldest ones in the park. So big, so beautiful.

And here's why they're called The Lovers. See how their roots are all intertwined and overflowing this rock wall, like a waterfall? Still holding hands after all these many years.

Okay lets head back up to the path. Looks like the fountain is off for cleaning. Wow, you're just going to have to come back and visit another time I guess. But hey, check out some of the details on the frescos over at the Balboa House on the promenade...

Okay, let's duck inside the portico here and walk over to another of my favorites. (Can you tell how much I love this place? Any wonder why I ended up moving to this neighborhood?)

There it is, the Arboretum and Greenhouse. Again, closed. And the lotus' and lillies are all out of bloom for the winter, but you can come back in spring and this place looks like a monet painting, I'm telling you!

And hey! Look over here, still *some* flowers in bloom here. San Diego seems to have something blooming all year round. These Birds of Paradise over here by the fountain bloom all year round!

There goes the bell spire again. 2:30 already? See how time flies out here? Let's go see some of the sculptures across the way, outside the Mingei Museum and we'll call it a day.

There's The Poet and The Muse, and over there The Dragon. We've caught them at a good time. Usually, all the other kids are climbing all over them. Today, we've got 'em all to ourselves!

Check out some of the detail on the mosaics!

Well my friend, I need to be getting back home. Thanks for coming out with me today! Before we part, and before the batteries on my digital camera die out though, let's leave a little chalk drawing for the people who might walk past this afternoon.

That quote by Jack Kornfield seems to speak volumes for me at the moment, given some of what I've been dealing with these past couple of weeks. Maybe now it will bring some light to someone who passes this way. And here's one of last Spring's lotuses from the water garden.

Here's the chalk my friend, I must be on my way. Send me a photo of what you draw!

Hope you enjoyed our walkabout, Happy New Year from San Diego! We'll continue the adventure another time! Love, bajaboy

feeling lucky

2005-12-29T11:47:00.000-08:00

I am finally waking up.

I looked out with these eyes and finally, for the first time,
I noticed the curve and shadow of every cloud,
how they swayed, slight and subtle, then dissolved
into the air I breathed.

I noticed how the sun slanted in,
warm on my skin like the caress of a god,
feeling that caress mingle with tears
of knowing…
of kindness…

The Universe courses within me, without me.
I feel every droplet.
I am alive.

Grateful for fear, yet calm in the knowledge
that I am subtly changing, awakening
to how I become the clouds and sunlight,
how I am fading, dissolving, becoming each thing,
and how I am those things already…
how when the obstacle of time is removed,
the clouds are my conscious thoughts
and the sunlight on my face
is my own hand.

you are here...

2005-12-12T16:17:00.000-08:00

Drab beige tiles cascade along past banks of blue berber carpeting,
through canyons of gray steel siding and white particle-board podiums,
beneath a sky of painted tin murals and woven fiber sculptures.

This river of bored whimsy has a different song...

shoe heels & plastic wheels...

tat-tat-tat-tat-tat
clack-clack-clack
shwoom-shwoom-shwoom
plock-plock-plock-plock
tiketa-ticketa-ticketa-ticketa SHKREET

Everyone here is passing, rushing, angry grimmacing,
listening, laughing, desparately running,
smiling, reading, haphazardly sleeping...

but never staying.

Miracle of miracles dancing un-noticed
launching us thousands of feet in the air
dwarfing the defiance of little Icarus
to touch ground again in places just as neutral,
almost the same.
Forgetable except for the occasional storm.

The places we were in while we were on our way to somewhere else.

Thousands are passing, all on our ways...
funerals, weddings, family reunions,
meetings, vacations,
lovers' arms, car shows... and home again.

I feel small as I stand, knowing I am on my way too.
For a moment, I've lost track of where I've been
and where I'm going,
suddenly aware of where I am.

Suddenly aware...

I am here.
I am here now.

sidewalk chalk

2005-10-31T19:08:00.000-08:00

A little peice of my latest act of incognito overt renegade world improvement...

on hand & foot

2005-09-27T14:20:00.000-07:00

i have a scar on the outside of my right wrist
that finds it's twin on the inside of my right ankle.
one i received reaching into the oven
to retrieve cookies that I sent to a soldier in iraq,
the other,
walking the streets of vegas in relentless leather sandals.

of baking and walking in las vegas,
memory left traces of beauty and pain
simple in their passing,
no monuments of divine revelation
and no correlation between.

but their mark ever remains
of doing and going
being
no symbolism or clarity
no blame
simply reminders
that I live.

breathe

2005-09-26T09:33:00.000-07:00

breathe in
breathe out
the sun spills through my open window
woke up tear-washed
piles of clothing waiting
stepped into the shower
out onto my living room
towers of boxes
await my unpacking hands

breathe in
breathe out
take more penicillin
wash some dishes and take out the trash
walk outdoors and pet the cat
I unpack a box
I think of a face that isn't here
I begin to feel exposed
alone
older

breathe in
breathe out
I unpack a box
turn on some music and get out of my head
I scrub the toaster and microwave
put things on a shelf in the bathroom
phone rings
but it's the customer service computer for my credit card
"your remaining credit is now less than optimistic..."
"to hear more options..."
I hang up

breathe in
breathe out
I unpack a box
kitchen floor is black from all my pacing
go out, buy something to scrub with
and some coffee
call my mother and tell her I'm doing alright
think about the bills, my dwindling savings
try not to worry
walk in
sit down
sigh and look around

breathe in
breathe out
I unpack a box
an hour has passed where a day should have
and I wish for interruptions
that don't come
but I continue onward
I breathe
and empty boxes pile up
and eventually
this will feel right
eventually this will be home

breathe in
breathe out
I unpack a box...

august moon

2005-08-18T09:42:00.000-07:00

august moon guide me
silver scalpel divide me
lie down beside me

ghost

2005-08-08T21:31:00.000-07:00

So quiet here tonight I can scarcely feel. I lay out until the sun sleeps, watching skies turn shades amber rose and drift like vapor into deep smokey violets and velveteen folds of blue and black. The day and I disappear now, my eyes become air now, and I feel blank.

I am a ghost here. Silence covers this place in a blanket pierced only by shards through windows, pickett-covered with broken blinds... hollow tin silver light from halogen floods, built to expose thieves and tomcats. Orange tinged glare from the streetlamps of the highway, there to show you away from this place as you move along. All pierce through me as I walk in this box after sundown. Alone and silent, I study the way my feet sound, naked falling on cold tile floors. Walls are empty where photos once hung, neglected laundry folded in the basket because closets and drawers seem a waste of time. Ashtray overflowing like bones and cancer, dust on glass tables like mothwings on corpses. Thought itself seems like fog, and the only sound I hear is an electric fan, inviting more cold into this place.

Empty.

Dead.

This is no home. This is the place where the days I knew before lay dying.

Life surely awaits me elsewhere. It's time to move on.

a sign of my astrology...

2005-07-27T10:17:00.000-07:00

Been struggling for days to put my thoughts into words. If you're interested, here is both a possible explanation why and a narrative as to what's "really" going on. I reserve judgement on astrology still, but when it's this spot-on, it can't be ignored...

What I struggle to say in thinly suggestive riddles over the past few weeks is pretty much spat forth in this report from my personal chart at Astrodienst.

Pluto conjunction Descendant: Cards on the table
Beginning of February 2005 until beginning of December 2006: Your intimate one-to- one relationships, such as a marriage or other personal relationship, partnership and close encounters with friends and enemies, will be greatly affected by this influence.

In a marriage or other close relationship, pressures will surface that indicate that you and your mate need to consider making significant changes in your relationship. Perhaps you have been reluctant to face the forces at work between you, afraid that discussing them would cause a blow-up. And it probably would, but a blow-up is not always a bad thing in a relationship. Now it will become especially urgent that you both lay your cards on the table and work out all the problems in your relationship that are bothering either of you. Otherwise the pressure may build to the breaking point. This influence can cause a close relationship to break up, if you do not face your problems honestly.

Very often this influence does not affect the relationship itself but brings about an encounter between you and someone who will be very important to you, someone who may literally transform your life. This may be someone in a professional capacity, such as a psychiatrist, who will help you learn what is making it difficult for you to live the way you want to. Or it may be a friend who affects you more strongly than most. Unfortunately it may also signify a struggle with an enemy who is particularly powerful and disrupts your life. However, even in a confrontation with an enemy there is potential for positive change.

Uranus conjunction Sun: A new course
Mid March 2005 until mid February 2006: This is an extremely significant influence in many ways. It represents a time when you will try to achieve new kinds of self- expression and become more free than you have ever been.

This is one of the most revolutionary periods in your life. At its most productive, this influence can clear away limitations that have made your life less meaningful and fruitful, whether they have been imposed by yourself or by others. Your life can be more real. But at its worst, this influence can signify a time of wild instability and chaos, when events seem to happen unpredictably and disruptively.

Whatever you feel about change in life, now you will be forced to break up old patterns and embark on a new course. Whether you complete this process depends largely upon whether your life has degenerated into a dull and safe routine. It also depends upon how much energy you put into resisting changes.

You will be attracted to anything new and exciting, as well as new techniques in your work and in personal development. You may become more interested in science and technology. Younger persons will experience this as a time of rebellion, particularly against authorities, such as parents, officials and employers. You will not be very patient with restrictions at this time.

However, this influence need not be destructive. It is a call for you to examine your life and see what changes must be made to keep you from becoming too rigid. You may simply make tremendous changes in many aspects of your life so that you feel more free and more completely yourself.

Saturn opposition Jupiter: Crab walk
16 July 2005 until 31 July 2005: During this time, your opportunities for growth and expansion in life are limited. You may feel that you are moving sideways, if not actually going in reverse. There may be financial problems, especially if you have overextended yourself in the recent past. Another effect of this influence is restlessness and impatience with restrictions imposed upon you. This period requires patience, but unfortunately yours seems to be almost exhausted.
This is a period of readjustment after a period of possibly too-rapid expansion. Certainly it is necessary to examine your recent past to make sure that you have acted according to what you really want to do and really ought to do. This influence can have the effect of getting you back into a path that you have wandered away from. Do not be discouraged by any recent setbacks. Quite likely they were for the best, as you will probably see in a little while.

Make things more secure and more stable, but do not start any new projects now. If your expectations are overly optimistic, you may be disappointed, but at least the reasons will become clear. You will see what aspect of reality has interfered with your ideals, and in the future you will be able to take this into account.

Also at this time personal relationships may go through a period of trial. You often feel as if your personal freedom is unduly limited by others. Separations sometimes come about because you feel that that is the only way to achieve freedom. And, in fact, you are usually better off after a separation that occurs during this time.

This is a time of cutting back and finding a more stable form for your life. It is not a time of growth and expansion. In fact, too much expansion in the past may be the reason for what is happening now. In the future you will have to make plans on a more solid basis so that changes in your life and pressure from circumstances and people cannot interfere so much. This influence is a useful, if not always pleasant, encounter with reality.

Saturn trine Neptune: A monastic consciousness
Beginning of September 2005 until mid June 2006: At this time you will reach a new understanding of your own being and the world around you. In recent years you have probably been through periods of great doubt, uncertainty and confusion. Although those periods were painful they have contributed to your new view of the world. Now is the time to deepen and take advantage of your new understanding. This is an excellent time for studies that can raise your consciousness, such as yoga, occult metaphysics, spiritualism and mysticism. Now you are able to study these subjects and put them into practice in your everyday life. They will not be purely intellectual or mental activities - you can make them real and useful!

At this time your own ego involvement in your activities is low. You are more likely than at other times to act for altruistic reasons. You can devote yourself selflessly to movements and activities that help you bring your ideas to reality. Yet you do not feel that you are denying yourself, for everything you do seems to be a logical expression of what you are.

Your ideals are not in conflict with the realities in your life at this time. They are in creative balance, with the ideal giving form and the real giving life. Your approach is one of calm sober reflection. This is not a time of lightness and gaiety; instead it produces an almost monastic consciousness that contemplates the world with detachment.

You have learned much in the last several years, and now you will be able to put into practice what you have learned.

snowfall

2005-07-21T11:19:00.000-07:00

i remember
how it sounded
crystaline and fragile
every
individual
flake
frozen flowers
touching
shifting
joining

solitude
silence
empty and full
fading in
to the numb
cold
and meditative
landscape

i am alone
emptying outward
as clear
unstained
as the snow around me
new
if i cry
tears will freeze
and instead
i focus
on the quiet

love is
all
around me
it's not
up
to me

love will find
me
steps leading in
to untouched
expanses

placid
stoic
lucid stasis
i will wait
awake

Bears and Boyfriends...

2005-07-19T20:30:00.000-07:00

When I was growing up, I had a big brown teddy bear that I used to keep on my bed. It had been there for as long as I could remember. So long in fact that I had to ask mom later on in years where I even came by that bear.

“Your Uncle Brent won it for you at a circus when you were about 3 years old. You were so young, it’s okay if you don’t remember,” mom explained.

I never remembered the circus, or my Uncle giving me the gift, but I have always remembered the bear.

It was December 2002. I was seeing a guy who I had recently fallen mad for, as love often makes you do. I remember my friend Connie telling me to be careful, watch out that I didn’t lose my senses. How was I to make any sense of it though? He’d walk into the room and I would hear violins. There was no wrong about him.

I remember being in a department store with him and with Connie. I had taken all sorts of joy in buying things I found along the way earlier that week, when he wasn’t around… expensive things, but things I knew he liked and wouldn’t treat himself to normally. I wanted for him to have those things. Connie reminded me to be rational. “Has he indicated that he’s getting anything for you,” she asked.

“Nah, he doesn’t really need to anyhow. I’m getting him the stuff because I want for him to have it. I love the guy.”

He turned to me at one point as we were checking out. I was looking overhead at the cash registers at a long string of stuffed animals with holiday bows around their necks. All of them were kind of sappy… a big sad dog with droopy ears, a white gorilla…

“So is there anything in particular you want for Christmas,” he said to me.

I grinned. Just then, looking at the procession of stuffed toys above me, my gaze came over a big black bear with a gold and maroon bow. Immediately, I remembered the bear from my childhood, and told him and Connie the story.

“I’d love to have that black bear for Christmas.”

We had already checked out. He said he’d be sure to come back by later on to get it. Connie in the meantime remained quiet, taking in all she had seen. Later on, we talked over coffee.

“I’m just concerned that guy isn’t good for you. I just see you making all sorts of sacrifices and giving so much of yourself, and he’s just skating along taking it all in. Please be careful Kevin.”

A couple of weeks passed. Excitedly, I loaded up my truck and drove out to visit. We had planned a weekend together just before the holiday and I drove several hours to meet him at his home. I arrived after dark to a quiet living room in the country. He’d put up a beautiful extravagant tree, hundreds of lights. It was amazing. We sat at the couch and talked in hushed voices in the silence, smiling and relaxing in the comfort of that evening. I brought a bag with his gifts over to where he was sitting.

I remember him opening every one, smiling, saying thank you, holding me and kissing me on the cheek. I remember the joy in his face and the feeling that at every moment the papers flew off, I had truly given him something he wanted. I loved him, I wanted him to have those things.

And then all the gifts were opened. We sat and talked. I let the tension float out of me thinking he must be trying to tease me. He blushed. “I was only able to get you a couple things, I have been so busy, and I just didn’t know what to get you.” I grinned and told him it was alright, that he didn’t need to get me anything at all, that I was just happy I could be with him. Still he returned with two small packages he pulled from behind the couch.

I wanted to remain humbled. It would’ve been perfect if he’d gotten nothing at all really. Instead, I un-wrapped two gifts from him. One was a nose hair trimmer. The other was a vibrator.

I got through that night telling myself that it didn’t matter, that what mattered was the fact that he thought of me at all. I continued to tell myself, well, maybe I really did need a nose hair trimmer after all. The vibrator, well, not really, but maybe he just misunderstood. Maybe the whole thing was just a big misunderstanding. It was just misunderstanding, right?

I drove home the next morning. 3 hours. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t devastated really. I got home, sat in my apartment and cried. I called Connie, and told her she was right. We talked for a little while and I began to feel better. She even had me laughing after a while, and asked if she could come over for a game of cribbage.

“Of course sweetheart. I love you Connie.”

A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. I came in from the patio to go let Connie in. When I opened the door, I found my friend… holding in her arms a big black furry bear with a gold and maroon bow.

“The people who truly love you Kevin… they pay attention. They have no choice but to adore you and want only to see you happy. I truly love you Kevin.”

That bear is on my bed every night, and has outlasted several boyfriends, to be true… and as for Connie, I know her friendship will be there even if all the bears and boyfriends fade away eventually.

I love you Connie. Thank you for paying attention.

my own

2005-07-14T20:06:00.000-07:00

You all have been telling me you want a recent photo... here I am on the 4th of July by my pool in San Diego. And here are a few words to tell you how I am...

i have taken a haitus from being who i was supposed to be for a while
i decided to silence my ego clammoring for wants
i went and forgot myself for a while
i wandered the desert
i changed my name
i lost touch
i followed
instincts
mine

i i i i i

i

a
m

m
y

o
w
n

i tear myself down to build myself up
and remake of me
the person i am

i lose myself
to find myself
and find eyes
staring back
that know

eyes of jade
that are
somehow

my own

Been a while...

2005-06-30T13:50:00.000-07:00

I've done a little digging now that I'm back home from both the ride and the onslaught of conferences I had this month. Further research shows that Audioblogger changed their phone number, which explains why I was unable to post voicemail to my blog during the ride. For those of you that were following along, somewhere around halfway, I simply gave up on the technology altogether, and just chose to experience the ride instead of record it for memories. It was about that time that I finally truly began enjoying myself, and learning something.

It wasn't about showing I had been there. Frankly, not photos nor writing nor even the sound of my voice could've conveyed exactly what happened to me on this journey. It's something that quite simply one has to DO to understand.

I haven't posted many stories of what has happened. In all honesty, I may not post much. There is something sacred about the changes that began taking place inside of me on that journey. Not all of it was particularly attractive, and some of it is indeed very dark. There were times I felt on top of the world, and there were times I felt crumpled and insignificant. When they said a million emotions in the advertisements for this ride, they really were not kidding. Some made sense, some didn't. Some were pleasant, some weren't. In all though, on the other side, I can not help but feel more alive, more awake, than before.

Being there reminded me that I don't have to live up to the pressure I put on myself to be interesting, artistic, creative... I didn't need photos or a journal or blogs or words of wisdom. Little by little on this journey, all of those things began falling away anyhow, until finally there was just me and the open road, and my mind was finally quiet.

I don't know if it's preposterous to say that I found enlightenment on a bicycle. In many ways though, I did. In many ways, the ride may be over, but I'm beginning to realize the ride was only a metaphor for a journey that only just started. Something inside of me changed. Something about being with 1600 people and at the same time, feeling so alone that nihilism disolved my idea of self completely. Something about being on the same path sharing the same light collectively, but when trying to outshine another, finding my own light extinguished. Something about a larger idea of "me" being more than just "me"... being part of him, her, them, us... you. Something about a disease that is no longer killing him, her, them... it's killing us... it's killing me... and it's killing you.

It is my responsibility. This is what I was meant to be doing all along. I have a reason for being here that relates to the whole of us all. I have a purpose.

Can a person really realize something so monumental doing something as simple as riding a bike?

I challenge you to do it sometime. The answer may astound you!

hi folks

2005-06-13T11:31:00.000-07:00

Well I'm officially over halfway there! Legs are sore, but I'm having an excellent time still. More photos soon, & longer stories when I can finally get to a computer.

A Picture Share!

2005-06-07T19:49:00.000-07:00

A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

There are a few riders at this event. Yeah like how does 1600 sound!

A Picture Share!

2005-06-07T18:46:00.000-07:00

A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Biker laundry

A Picture Share!

2005-06-07T18:45:00.000-07:00

A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Tent city

A Picture Share!

2005-06-07T18:40:00.000-07:00

A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Strawberry fields forever

A Picture Share!

2005-06-07T18:38:00.000-07:00

A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

My trusty steed!

miss you all

2005-06-07T18:36:00.000-07:00

Doing great on the ride, finished the infamous Quad Buster! Over 280 miles so far! Sorry for no update yesterday, was unbelievably tired after riding & went right to "bed". Lost a lot of photos & I think that has been the most disappointing thing to happen tome so far. More news soon, really wish audio blogger would let me leave a message for you all, & will keep trying. Talk to you all soon, thank you all so much for your wonderful messages of support. I am having the time of my life, have absolutely no doubt!

goodnight from port-o-let hell

2005-06-05T21:06:00.000-07:00

Audio Blog Still Not Working, Still In Cpt Kirk Mode. Grrr. Got A Split Tire & Got Sagged 14 Miles :( . I Did Ride The Rest Though. Super Tired Tonight. Sorry So Short An Update Was Really Hoping For Audio Blog To Work. More Soon. Thanks For All Your Email And Notes Of Support!

A Picture Share!

2005-06-05T20:41:00.000-07:00

A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Lighthouse near santa cruz

A Picture Share!

2005-06-05T20:39:00.000-07:00

A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Lunch rest stop

A Picture Share!

2005-06-05T20:35:00.000-07:00

A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

South of half moon bay

A Picture Share!

2005-06-05T05:30:00.000-07:00

A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Check out my @$$ !

A Picture Share!

2005-06-05T05:27:00.000-07:00

A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Goodmorning!

A Picture Share!

2005-06-05T05:22:00.000-07:00

A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

1200 riders!

voice audio bloger not working

2005-06-04T23:09:00.000-07:00

I Have No Idea Why This Crappy Sprint Phone Feels It Necessary To Cap The First Letter Of Each Word. Bear With Me Here, I Know I Sound Like Captain Kirk. Registration Over, We Ride Tomorrow. Nervous & Excited. I Hope Audio Blog Works Tomorrow, Phone Tries To Dial But Never Connects To The Server. More News Later.

A Picture Share!

2005-06-04T19:51:00.000-07:00

A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Windy day in the Castro, SFO. We went after registration.

A Picture Share!

2005-06-04T19:49:00.000-07:00

A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Registration line, what a madhouse!1200 riders & 500 volunteers. Over 5 million dollars raised!!!

A Picture Share!

2005-06-03T13:17:00.000-07:00

A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Escapulario from Doc Octavio, ' Bill's ALC4 bracelet.

Here we go!

2005-06-03T10:21:00.000-07:00

Leaving the house in about 15 minutes to drive to LA. Bill and I have a couple of errands, and then we'll be headed to Oakland. From there, to Daly City where we'll be staying with a friend, Melanio. Tomorrow will be the orientation. Woo hoo!

Everything is packed in this HUGE suitcase. Our limit was 70 pounds, and I was able to make mine a modest 35. Ha!

So here are a few last minute photos. Thank you all again for the little things you've sent along with me for support and inspiration. Octavio, I put the escapulario you sent to me on just now. Gen, I've already begun writing in the journal. I've christened the bike for the occassion. Her name is "Babe", from the legend of Paul Bunyan, because, well, she's blue like my bike!

I will keep you all updated here with more photos, text messages and voice recordings. Keep in touch! I'll be thinking of all of you while I'm out there on the road!

One last thing, aside from this blog, you can keep track of us and actually send us mail from the following location! http://experience.aidslifecycle.org/ Photos, maps, "official" rider blogs (NYAH, mine's better), and... a really cool feature where you can send an email that will actually be publicly posted or read to all of the riders at dinner mess hall, from what I understand... just like mail call at summer camp! I am Rider 3419 and Bill is Roadie 8711. It would be great to hear from you!

Alright folks, I'm off! Wish me luck! I'll be talking to you from the road!

A Picture Share!

2005-06-03T10:09:00.000-07:00

A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Mmmm! Butt paste! A gift from Bill for the ride for rash ' chafing on the bike. I have a feeling I'm going to need it!

You have a new Picture Mail

2005-06-03T09:32:00.000-07:00

You have a new Picture Mail, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Some of the good luck charms, notes, inspirational trinkets and other stuff you all have sent to me. These and other "reminders" will go with me on the ride. Thank you!

Leaving tomorrow...

2005-06-03T00:16:00.000-07:00

Everything is packed, my bike is on it's way to San Francisco in a moving van, plane leaves tomorrow evening... I'm very nervous and very excited. It is midnight however and I need to get to bed soon!

More words tomorrow.

A Picture Share!

2005-06-02T10:10:00.000-07:00

My big send-off at work! Thank you Council of Community Clinics! I'm on my way!

A Picture Share!

2005-06-02T09:34:00.000-07:00

Mmmm... Latte!

On my way...

2005-06-01T22:06:00.000-07:00

It took 4 hours to drive to L.A. this afternoon to deliver the bike. I do not envy folks who have to deal with traffic in that city every day. Normally, that trek by freeway is about 2 hours.

Bill and I got a little lost in Hollywood trying to find Hollywood Bowl (good luck reading that map. Oh, did we mention the parts of the street closed off to through traffic?), but made it in time to the delivery van to drop off my bike. 4 hours to get there, 2 minutes to drop off the bike.

We had dinner afterwards at Hollywood and Highland at a restaurant called Koji's Sushi and Shabu Shabu, and it was EXCELLENT! If you've never had shabu shabu, you must, it's so much fun and the food is so healthy!

We left San Diego at about 3:00, got home about 10:00. Sheesh!

Tomorrow is the last day of preparation and my bike is already on it's way to San Francisco. Nervous yet? You bet!

A Picture Share!

2005-04-04T20:24:00.000-07:00

Bill went to Maui and all I got was this photograph!

Ride4AIDS, San Diego

2005-04-03T13:33:00.003-07:00

Here are some photos from today's 50 mile ride. I had to double back at one point in the ride because I missed a turn, so my total ended up a little higher. Would stay and write more, but I need a shower and my neck and back are about to kill me. I think I have some frame and handlebar adjustments to make later on.

For now though, sweet dreams!

A Picture Share!

2005-04-03T13:30:00.001-07:00

Sorry, make that 53 miles later.

A Picture Share!

2005-04-03T13:30:00.000-07:00

Spanish Landing Park, 5 hours and 52 miles later. (whew!)

A Picture Share!

2005-04-03T13:29:00.000-07:00

Del Mar.

A Picture Share!

2005-04-03T13:28:00.000-07:00

I-5 and I-805 Junction.

A Picture Share!

2005-04-03T13:27:00.000-07:00

Seaside near Torrey Pines.

A Picture Share!

2005-04-03T13:25:00.001-07:00

Coronado Island and Point Loma.

A Picture Share!

2005-04-03T13:25:00.000-07:00

Fog over the bay at Cabrillo National Monument.

A Picture Share!

2005-04-03T13:24:00.000-07:00

Cabrillo National Monument, view towards South Bay and the Silver Strand.

A Picture Share!

2005-04-03T06:52:00.000-07:00

Starting line ride4aids, san diego

A Picture Share!

2005-03-31T11:51:00.000-08:00

Mission Bay Park North

Bwaaahhahahahahaha

2005-03-30T12:33:00.000-08:00

OMG it finally posted! And it's horrible! I love it!

You owe me big time Mira and Valerie!

2005-03-30T11:02:00.000-08:00

$2500!!!

2005-03-30T10:35:00.000-08:00

I was able to squeeze in a 20 mile ride this morning and seem to have finally settled on a good, staple route for the 1.5 hours I have before work. My speed is improving greatly. I also installed some new aero-bars on my bike this past weekend and they do wonders for the wrist-buzz I get occassionally from my grip on the handlebars. I've notice that they also boost my speed considerably on flat roads and downhill stretches.

On another note, I finally passed the $2500 mark in my fundraising! Thank you all so much for the support!

The San Diego Ride4AIDS will happen this Sunday. This one is a 50 mile ride (see details in earlier posts). I will be experimenting with the cell phone during the ride, and will keep some updates during the event for you all to see. This will be a good test run for LifeCycle this June.

Every cloud and it's silver lining...

2005-03-29T19:17:00.000-08:00

It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day at work today. All of the promotional materials that I have been working on for the National HIV/AIDS Update Conference coming up the week after next seem to have fallen on their face. My team is to sponsor an information booth at the conference while some of our staff are attending lectures, and part of the products that I ordered had a wrong phone number printed... on 1000 items. I will now be spending the next 7 days scrubbing phone numbers from pen barrels with nail polish remover. And then our shirts came in too expensive. I have been wanting to cry all day. Oh, and the mp3 of me singing All Is Full Of Love with Björk still will not post on audio blogger.... I guess it's too awful for them to publish.

But then I get home tonight to find some new sponsors on my LifeCycle page. I am now up to $2465 in donations! Only $35 to go until I reach the minimum goal to enter, $2500! See... silver lining indeed!

Saturday ride around the Bay

2005-03-26T22:47:00.000-08:00

Here are some photos from today's ride along the Bayshore Bikeway... 31 miles total. 44 miles for the week. I saw about a million butterflies, almost swallowed a few. And the Coronado Ferry is always beautiful here in San Diego. Enjoy!

A Picture Share!

2005-03-26T22:44:00.000-08:00

Cruise ship at the Broadway Pier.

A Picture Share!

2005-03-26T22:43:00.001-08:00

Kids inside the Ferry Boat.

A Picture Share!

2005-03-26T22:43:00.000-08:00

On the Coronado Ferry.

A Picture Share!

2005-03-26T22:42:00.000-08:00

Under the bridge.

A Picture Share!

2005-03-26T22:41:00.001-08:00

Coronado Bridge and Downtown San Diego.

A Picture Share!

2005-03-26T22:41:00.000-08:00

Silver Strand looking across the ocean to Point Loma.

A Picture Share!

2005-03-26T22:40:00.000-08:00

Butterfly along the trail.

A Picture Share!

2005-03-26T22:39:00.000-08:00

Entrance to Main Street bikepath in Chula Vista.

Beautiful Morning

2005-03-25T22:46:00.000-08:00

Here are some photos from my ride this morning. I made it out to the ocean this morning, riding along the San Diego River. Enjoy!

A Picture Share!

2005-03-25T07:18:00.000-08:00

Mission Bay

A Picture Share!

2005-03-25T07:17:00.000-08:00

Pacific Ocean

Rain Rain Go Away!

2005-03-24T13:03:00.000-08:00

The rain is back.

Got in to work at around 6:00am this morning and there was nothing but downpour in the valley. The forecast is saying that today should clear up a little after today. Everything is green and beautiful out here, but COME ON ALREADY!!!!

Last week’s mileage was 42 for the week. This week, so far… big fat zero. Monday and Tuesday were spent working from home in the early hours of the morning on graphics design for conference promo materials at work before deadlines… yesterday and today… rain.

I have signed up for two rides in April as training for AIDS LifeCycle. Both of them are one-day 50 mile rides. The first is the Ride4AIDS here locally in San Diego on April 3rd. The next is the Rosarito-Ensenada Fun Ride on April 30th. Ride4 AIDS is a charity event for local San Diego HIV/AIDS agencies that I support every year in addition to the AIDS Walk. Rosarito-Ensenada is a ride that attracts over 10,000 riders annually down in Mexico. Both are going to be a lot of fun and good training for the 600 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles I’ll be doing for AIDS LifeCycle.

This weekend, I’m intending to plan a ride around the Bayshore Bikeway if the weather will cooperate. Probably won’t have many photos this week as my training is getting more serious, but I’ll post what I can.

A Day at the Park

2005-03-19T23:41:00.000-08:00

Bill and I got up around 8:00 this morning and went to brunch at St. Tropez Bistro in Hillcrest. They have such a wonderful menu for breakfast. Afterwards, we took a walk at Balboa Park and visited the Japanese Friendship Garden. We got a surprise when we went and found that they were having a Ikebana display there to celebrate the Spring Equinox. We found the whole park full of azeleas, jasmine and wysteria. It smelled and looked incredible. Spring time in San Diego is unbelievable... especially this year after all of the rain that we have been receiving.

Bill recorded a voice message here and posted a couple of photos from his phone. Since he is going to be along for AIDS LifeCycle this June as a road volunteer, we're talking about the idea of getting him to where he can post to this blog as well when the time comes, so that he can put his photos and thoughts here as well.

Another day... it's going on midnight and I'm beat!

2005-03-19T15:14:00.000-08:00

2005-03-19T15:12:00.000-08:00